Chapter I: We Could Be Juggernauts

[GAIA]

VanguardPro

CHAPTER I: WE COULD BE JUGGERNAUTS

[ The camera pans over the skyline of Los Angeles, California, a city dark and dreary, beset by permanent darkness and drizzling rain. The streets below are lit dimly with neon lights, dark and otherwise devoid of life. The emptiness of the winter winds blowing through the night completes an atmosphere of a quiet night, occasionally broken with a car driving down an empty street. We eventually are met with the building front, a grand sign that reads “The Globe Theatre: VANGUARD PRO: WE COULD BE JUGGERNAUTS” predominantly. As we transition inside the venue, we are brought inside what can only be assumed as a conference room with a large round table taking up a large space in the dark room. The light in the room radiates from a large monitor on the wall, lighting the room in a blue contrast. Sitting in front of the monitor is a dark silhouette of a man, sitting at the table as three squares fill the screen in front of him, all containing the image of figures, details of their appearance shrouded in shadow. The figure sitting in the room raises his head as a fourth and final figure joins the conference call and begins to speak. ]

Anonymous: Now that we’re all accounted for; Gentlemen… Lady… the moment we have been working towards is finally here. The vision we share for the future of this industry is about to see the light of day. As we speak, Vernon has made his leave to introduce the fans to the change we look to bring. We are officially making our first move to changing the industry.

[ The man spoke confidently, but a less than confident voice chimes in, a male voice that is distorted slightly from the speakers as a box on the monitor lights up as he speaks. ]

Anonymous: With all due respect, Mr Beck, I am not entirely sure everyone present shares your vision. I personally have been left in the dark with what the end game for this really is. Vernon told us that it would be a beneficial business arrangement if we came on-board with this pet project of yours but has been anything but transparent when it comes to the details. Not to sound ungrateful but I believe those of us who have invested in this company of yours deserve an explanation at the very least.

[ There is a pause. A second mans voice chimes in, a raspy voice at that. ]

Anonymous: I would have to agree. We signed on because we were assured that this VANGUARD Pro would bring something missing from Pro-Wrestling back, but we’ve not been told exactly that ‘something’ is. Not that we doubt you or Vernon’s word, but we should at least get an elaboration, don’t you think?

[ A female voice chimes in, sounding playful in her demeanour. ]

Anonymous: Can’t say I share these concerns. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious as to what exactly this “GAIA” system is. Like, is it some kind of business practice or is it like a computer program? Like Photoshop? What is it, Neil?

[The camera pans around to the front of the figure, revealing the namechecked independent film director, Neil Beck. Adjusting the glasses on the bridge of his nose, he folds his hands in front of his face, his elbows on the table as he addresses the issue.]

Neil Beck: Your concerns and questions are rightfully placed. I do apologise for essentially keeping secrets from you all. Vernon and I felt that you simply wouldn’t believe our vision and what GAIA is without seeing it first hand. But if you want an explanation, you’re more than welcome to one.

[ With those words, Neil reaches for a remote on the table, pointing it to the monitor as the screen changes. The four frames now aligned on the right-hand side of the screen as a logo fills the screen. Four circles, lined together forming a grey triangle. ]

Neil Beck: What is the one thing that has infested promotions since wrestling was created? Politics. In the right place, it’s very much needed. It’s what keeps the business going, it keeps the wheels turning. But it’s also a hindrance. Throughout the decades of this industry, politics have determined who was and was not worthy. Be it for a spot on their roster, a spot in the limelight, or to hold a championship. Some of the most popular athletes in the world of wrestling are forced to toe the line because they aren’t given a chance because of some backstage agenda. They find themselves toiling for years, often when they’re at their peak, and they end their careers with mostly regrets.

[ There is an almost uncomfortable silence in the room as Neil drifts off before he pulls himself back on track and continues. ]

Neil Beck: But who do you believe should have that kind of power? A group of men who just want to line their pockets? Or the fans who love and admire the craft? I think the answer to that is pretty obvious. What we want to bring back to the wrestling industry is power to the people. Who they want to succeed will. They’ll get the matches they want to see and everyone will stand on equal ground to achieve what they hope to under the VANGUARD banner.

[ Silence again, before the second voice speaks up. ]

Anonymous: That doesn’t explain what this GAIA system is though.

Neil Beck: I was getting to that, actually. GAIA is an artificial intelligence. An A.I. built for the purposes of VANGUARD. And what it does is simple. It observes, it collects, it produces. It watches the matches, analyses the wrestlers abilities and the crowd's reactions, both live in attendance and over social media, then it collects that information. With that information, it builds a database about the wrestlers and their popularity with the crowd. Then it takes this information and builds a card that would be the most marketable for the audience. It’s cold and unfeeling, so the personal bias isn’t a factor. It essentially runs this company.

[ Silence once again. The first voice speaks up this time. ]

Anonymous: Then what is our purpose?

Neil Beck: Well as I said, politics have to exist to keep the wheels turning. When it is required, anyway. A promotion that doesn’t have any emotional investment behind it would feel pretty hollow, wouldn’t it? That is why you all were brought on board. You invested in this project, and so you hold shares. So when it is needed, we’ll be the politics that keeps this business moving forward. Of course, it is only fair you have your individual say.

[ A smirk grows on the face of the woman on screen, leaning forward as the shadow that once concealed her face is cast away, revealing Tarah Nova. ]

Tarah Nova: Well, it sounds like you have this all figured out. Color me impressed.

Anonymous: Quite.

Anonymous: I’m satisfied with that.

[ The fourth figure, who has been sitting in silence since the very start finally speaks up. ]

Anonymous: Neil, are you prepared to actually spearhead this operation? Failure is not an option, after all, you and Vernon have put towards building this promotion up. Especially with our individual backing. If this idea of yours tanks, we will want our investments pulled immediately… are we clear?

[ Neil’s sly smile fades from his face upon hearing these words. He confidently asserts. ]

Neil Beck: Crystal.

Anonymous: Then we’ll see how tonight goes then.

[ The fourth square folds in and disappears from the screen, followed by the first two. The third, Tarah Nova’s, remains open. ]

Tarah Nova: You do have this all figured out, right?

[ Neil smiles. ]

Neil Beck: Tonight is just a test run for GAIA. In truth, the card was built for the sole purpose of getting an initial read on the roster. After all, some of them have been made aware of its presence. So they’ll be performing to impress tonight.

Tarah Nova: With a men’s main event? Already showing a little favoritism are we?

Neil Beck: Rest assured, despite being in separate divisions the females will be getting the same respect as the males. They’ll get the main event spots. If GAIA deems them worthy, anyway.

[ Tarah’s signature smirk once again paints its way on her face. ]

Tarah Nova: Well, this should be fun. I’ll be watching veeeeery closely myself.

[ With that, her window closes, leaving the GAIA logo dominating the screen. ]

Neil Beck: GAIA, display the arena feed.

[ With his command, the screen cuts to a live feed of the inside of the Globe Theatre, panning over a loud and passionate who are blowing out the speakers as it appears on the screen. The lenses of his glasses filled with the images on the monitor as a smile once again finds its way on Neil Becks face. ]

Neil Beck: So, it begins.

[GAIA]

[ As we transition into the arena, Kavinsky’s “ProtoVision” playing over the P.A. system, the ravenous fans inside the Globe Theatre are chanting loudly “WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap* WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap*”. As the camera pans over the crowd, a disembodied orotund voice fills our ears. ]

Anonymous: Hello everybody and welcome! We applaud you for being apart of the long-awaited change to the wrestling world!

[ The camera cuts to a desk with two men wearing headsets. The first being the disembodied voice, an older looking gentleman looking sharp dressed in a three-piece suit, thinning black hair with an enthusiastic smile on his face. The other, a younger gentleman wearing a plaid dress shirt beneath a black sleeveless vest, his black hair well-kempt with a grin on his face as he leans on the desk. The older of the two continues his opening dialogue. ]

Mark Stephens: This is VANGUARD Pro! I am Mark Stephens, and joining me is the young and incomparable, Chet Kensington! I got to be honest with you, Chet, I am ready to see the world of pro-wrestling be set on fire here tonight!

Chet Kensington: I’m sorry, Mark, you mind repeating that for me? Because I can not hear you over these vehement fans in attendance tonight. They have been starving for something new, something exciting and tonight, they are going to get their fill. They’re ready to watch some fast-paced, hard-hitting action here tonight. They’re ready, I’m ready, Mark, are you ready? Do you need a change of batteries for your pacemaker?

Mark Stephens: My heart is doing just fine, thank you. But yes, I am ready and before we begin, we’re going to hear from one of the men that made VANGUARD Pro possible. Rhett Sweeney, do the honors!

[ As “Protovision” dies down, we cut to the ring and are met with a messy-haired gentleman, dressed in a smart casual affair as he raises the microphone to his lips and speaking in a loud, stentorian dialect. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome… THE BENEFACTOR OF VANGUARD PRO!!! VERNOOOOOOOON TREEEEEESLEEEEER!!!

[ “Welcome to the Real World” by Gun plays over the P.A. System as a suited Vernon Tressler steps through the curtain way, the words “Vernon Tressler” blazed over him on the Titantron. He looks out over the audience, almost looking amazed by the turnout as he makes his way down the aisle, slapping extended hands as he goes. ]

Mark Stephens: A man who has worked tirelessly to make the sport of Professional Wrestling better, retired young and founded Tressler Insurance. He has not only been ensuring the future of the competitors but has been benefacting several promotions across the United States but now, he has invested in the future of the industry in VANGUARD Pro!

Chet Kensington: He was a bit of a hack as a wrestler, in my opinion, but you have to give the man credit, he saw an idea and went all-in on it. The fancy set, the ring, the venue rental, the cameras, the lights, hell, he even paid my asking price and I can assure you that isn’t a poor man's investment. Probably could have bought another ring for my asking price.

Mark Stephens: He has brought this idea to life and has promised to make something great with it. He can be a bit of a strict person about it so Chet, you may want to show the man a little respect.

Chet Kensington: I do respect him, just don’t tell him what I think of him as a wrestler, want to try and find a way into his good books and into his will.

Mark Stephens: I wouldn’t bet on it…

[ As “Welcome to the Real World” fades out, Vernon holds the microphone in hand as the crowd begins “Ver-non! Ver-non! Ver-non!” chants, which he tries to politely wave off as he raises the microphone. ]

Vernon Tressler: Now, now, no need for that. I don’t want to take up too much of your time because we have a lot of men and women in the back that are excited to come out here and give you guys a show!

[ The crowd applaud in approval before Vernon continues. ]

Vernon Tressler: But I will take a moment of your time to just say how grateful I am. Not only to those competitors that have come to VANGUARD Pro to show what they are made of but also to you, the fans in attendance and the fans watching at home through our streaming service on Pivotshare. Without you, this would be nothing -- *we* would be nothing. But tonight, as our tagline states, we are VANGUARD. Not me, not the other men and women who are funding the show, not just the competitors, but all of you are VANGUARD.

[ Vernon is interrupted as “WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap* WE ARE VAN-GUARD! *clap clap clap clap clap*” chants break out, he smiles and continues as the die down. ]

Vernon Tressler: See, that’s the energy that is going to make this company something great. And I can assure you, we are going to be something great. And it all starts tonight. Actually, it starts… right now! I will not take up any more of your time, we have some of the best independent wrestling on the planet to provide! Let’s start the show!

[ Vernon hands the microphone to Rhett Sweeney as he steps aside and exits the ring. ]

[GAIA]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall -

Crowd: One fall!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit! Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall -

Crowd: One fall!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ 'Immigrant Song' by Led Zeppelin plays as the venue is bathed in a red hue, the titantron displays the animation of a limb snapping as Donny Dragon appears at the top of the ramp. He is wearing a traditional Gi with an embroidered dragon on the back. The crowd do not cheer but respectfully applaud as per Japanese tradition. The words "Limb Collector" appear on the tron, as Donny enters the ring and throws out kicks and punches at speed, before disrobing his Gi, mounting the top rope and politely bowing to the audience. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Fort Pain, USA, weighing in at 199 pounds! THE LIMB COLLECTOR! DOOOOONNYYYYY!!! DRAAAAAGOOOOON!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this kid looks intimidating. You can see an intensity behind those eyes despite his showing of respect to the crowd, he looks like a legitimate badass between those ropes.

Mark Stephens: Born on a US military base in Okinawa, Japan, Donny Dragon is well-versed in hand-to-hand combat. He has a very intimidating demeanor and, get this, believes himself to be embedded with the spirit of a mythical dragon called Gentrax.

Chet Kensington: Oh, so he’s one of thooooose badasses. The kind of kids that have a katana collection and threatens bullies that he will unleash his wrath on them.

Mark Stephens: Say what you will about him, he is definitely not someone you should take lightly between those ropes.

[ “Money” by Of Mice & Men plays as AXL rushes out onto the stage, energetic as could possibly be. His energy isn’t positive, cursing out the crowd of course as he runs out onto the stage. He’s jumping around to the drumbeat of his theme in the background. Pausing on the stage to look directly in the camera with a smile. He says, “This is it, chief! This is f’n it! Let’s get it!” He then spins on his heels to face the tron, pointing up at himself and finally spins back around, making a compliment of how he looks on the big screen. The walk to the ring is quick, not daring to touch a fan, and a smirk on his face the entire time. He starts a brisk run halfway down the ramp before sliding under the bottom rope, quickly popping up to his feet, a huge smirk on his face as he psyches himself up. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And his opponent! From...Your mother's bedroom… weighing in tonight at 180 pounds! THIS IS THE SLEEEEAZE OF STRONG STYLE!!! AAAAAAAXLLLLLL!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this guy seems cool. He’s got a sweet jacket, a cocky stride and a smirk that tells you “Yeah, I am the shit”. That’s an attitude of a winner right there. No embodiment of dragons mumbo-jumbo.

Mark Stephens: Well… He did use to own a blowup doll that physically resembled his crush that he would call his “Sunshine”...

Chet Kensington: Look, the man was going through heartbreak. He was going through a dark time in his life and in his career. He is on the road to redemption right now, and he’s going to pave that road over Donny Dragon. Besides, he doesn’t own that doll anymore… I think...

Mark Stephens: Regardless of his...quirks… Axl has proven to be a competent competitor in the ring and has come to VANGUARD Pro to redeem a career that had spiralled out of control and tonight, he has a tall order against the trainee of a man who defeated him during this bleak period of his career.

[ Axl removes his jacket as official Howie Dewitt checks both competitors for hidden weaponry. Both competitors clean, he asks both of them if they are ready and, on their approval, he calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Donny offers a handshake to AXL, who laughs him off and throws a stiff right jab that catches the newcomer off guard. Donny retaliates with a palm strike that’s avoided with ease as AXL applies a headlock. Donny throws AXL into the ropes who fires off and delivers a shoulder tackle that floors Donny, who grabs the boastful AXL’s left arm from the ground in order to drag him down for a triangle choke. AXL frantically scrambles for the ropes to escape the hold, which he does. Donny breaks the hold straight away and makes his way up to his feet, goading AXL to make a move. AXL rolls out of the ring and shakes his head, circling around and shaking some feeling into his arm. After the referee’s count reaches 7, Donny gets fed up of AXL stalling and runs after him. AXL capitalises on this rookie error by leaping back into the ring and stomping the back of Donny’s head as the latter attempts to re-enter the ring.

Donny shoots back up and stares daggers into AXL, who wasn’t anticipating his stomp to be ineffective, Donny quickly shoots the half and tries to work AXL down to the ground, which AXL counteracts by backing up into the corner. As Donny breaks the hold, AXL shoots behind him and hits a release snap German, dropping Donny on his head. Donny gets up with hesitation and takes a knee to his chin from AXL as he rises up, stunning him. AXL lets Donny rise and attempts a discus elbow, but Donny ducks and lands a roundhouse kick to the back of AXL’s neck, before hitting a chop block to bring AXL down to one knee. Donny grabs him from behind and goes for a deadlift German, but AXL flips and lands on his feet and instantly attempts a Lover Boy from behind. Donny has him scouted and gets an arm free from the full nelson, which he uses to work into a wrist lock and relentlessly kick AXL’s left arm. AXL begins nailing Donny in the face with forearms in response to the kicks, which the crowd eat up. The two men eventually slow down as Donny attempts to Irish whip AXL, who counters by grabbing Donny’s other arm with his free hand and pulls him in for a knee square to the face. Donny falls into the ropes and rebounds with a big boot, AXL responds with a picture perfect standing dropkick, which takes Donny down.

As the two men make their way up, with AXL going slightly faster, Donny desperately shoots for his opponent’s left arm in order to secure an armbar, which AXL denies by kicking the back of Donny’s knee. As Donny backs off, AXL runs and attempts a clothesline to the outside, but Donny back body drops AXL over the ropes, who lands on his feet on the apron. AXL throws a punch at Donny, who instinctively catches the arm and locks in a triangle with the ropes as leverage. AXL thinks fast and uses his free arm to vault over the ropes and bring down a foot on Donny’s face. As AXL holds his arm and lambasts the ref for not pulling Donny off of him, Donny runs in and attempts a rolling elbow on AXL, who senses his opponent and side steps. Donny lands a glancing blow on the ref as he turns around into a quick low blow from AXL, who instantly locks in the full nelson for the Lover Boy.

As AXL steps through to deliver the STO, Donny somehow slips out and takes AXL to the ground to lock in the Dragon’s Wing, a cross armbreaker with his foot pressed on AXL’s throat. AXL desperately reaches out for the ropes to try and score a break, but they’re in the middle of the ring. After around 20 seconds, AXL finally gives in and taps out.

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Immigrant Song” begins to play as Donny keeps the hold on for a little too long after the bell and gets carried away. He eventually takes control of his senses and let's go, staring at the pained AXL, who rolls out of the ring while cursing loudly. The referee raises Donny’s hand to a cheer from the crowd, who are impressed with the debutant’s performance. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The winner of this match, by submission… DOOOONNYYYY!!! DRAAAAAGOOOON!!!

Mark Stephens: Still think Donny is a pushover?

Chet Kensington: Okay, the dragon stuff is weird. But maaaan, that kid can fight!

Mark Stephens: An impressive showing by the rookie Donny Dragon; a bright future in VANGUARD is ahead of him.

[ Donny bows to the crowd and exits the ring to head to the back as AXL lambasts official Howie Dewitt. ]

---

[ We cut to a video of Vernon Tressler walking through the hallways, looking at his phone. As he continues walking, he pauses in his tracks and looks up as a voice calls for him. ]

Anonymous: Hey, wait up!

[ Tressler turns around to see a young, blond man behind him. ]

Vernon Tressler: Jason? What are you doing here? And why are you in your wrestling gear? We talked about thi--

[ He is quickly interrupted by the name-checked Jason. ]

Jason: I know, I know, you said you couldn’t find room for me on the card, I understand that. But listen, that match out there was meant to go 15 minutes right? Well, It only went for like 10? And what are the chances other matches tonight will go their complete time limits? Look, I don’t ask for much.

[ Vernon rolls his eyes and mutters “don’t ask for much” under his breath which Jason ignores. ]

Jason: All I am asking for is a chance to prove myself. I know I’m fresh out of training but you told me yourself if you want to make a name for yourself take some risks. Well, here I am, wanting to take a risk. All you have to do is let me take it.

Vernon: Jason, even if I wanted to give you a shot, who am I going to get for you as an opponent?

Jason: Pick someone, anyone, it doesn’t matter. There has to be someone here tonight with jocks and some wrestling boots. Just give me a chance, please? Please?

[Vernon lets out a long sigh. ]

Vernon Tressler: Fine… Don’t celebrate too early though. I have someone here tonight who is a little disgruntled he isn’t competing tonight either. I warn you though, he has years of experience on you. You’ll be going up against Chris Matthews. Just… be careful out there.

Jason: I will, thanks, dad!

[ Jason Tressler runs down the hallway with his father looking on, concerned. ]

[GAIA]

[ We transition back into the venue, the crowd still hot from the opener as Rhett Sweeney stands in the ring, ready to announce the next contest. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following tag team match is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ As "Ready Go!!" plays, a pirate dressed Sakuya makes her way down to the ring, high-fiving fans and smiling. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Yonabaru, Okinawa, Japan, weighing in at 115 pounds! THE FRONT PACIFIC VOYAGER! SAAAAKUUUUUYAAAAA!!! GOOOOOOTOOOOO!!!

Mark Stephens: A young and exciting competitor who has come over from the Land of the Rising Sun to develop her skills and sharpen her wrestling knowledge, Sakuya Goto has gathered a cult following in the United States for her flashy presentation and her agility in the ring.

Chet Kensington: That’s fine and all… why is she dressed as a pirate? She doesn’t actually think she is one like that Donny kid believes he’s a dragon, right?

Mark Stephens: I’m sure it’s just for aesthetic purposes. Got to stand out.

[ As she enters the ring, Sakuya immediately begins to spin around while her coattails behind her, ending with a pirate salute to the crowd. ]

[ As “I’m America” by Clive hit’s the P.A. system, the crowd roar in ovation as Raena Ripley steps out from behind the curtain bursting with energy as she runs to both sides of the stage to rally the crowd behind her. She breaks into a brisk jog as she makes her way down the aisle, slapping every extended hand she can. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And her tag team partner! From Brick Rock City, Nevada, weighing in tonight at 135 pounds! SHE IS THE MID MORNING INFERNO! RAAAAAEEEENAAAA!!! RIIIIIPLEEEEEEEY!!!

Mark Stephens: It is deafening in this arena tonight as the ever-popular Raena Ripley makes her way to the ring. If you have never seen her compete before, she can be best described as Young, Wild and Free. If you don’t know what that means, keep an eye on her, you don’t want to miss a thing.

Chet Kensington: Everyone has been telling me this girl has a sky-high up-side and clearly she has won over a mass of fans early on, but she plays really nice on social media and if there is one bit of advice I can give to her, it’s to not play nice tonight. It’s the premiere of VANGUARD Pro tonight, and you don’t want to go down as a loser. Playing nice will only lead to you being the loser.

[ Raena slides into the ring and does an elaborate handshake with Sakuya as “I’m America” dies down. ]

[ "Blood Suckers" by Dana Fowler fills the arena as Aubrey Cassidy-Lopez steps out onto the stage, boos raining left and right as she soaks it all in, arms outstretched and laughing to herself before making her way down to the ring, avoiding any physical contact with the fans. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing their opponents! First, from San Diego, California, weighing in tonight at 135 pounds! SHE IS… AUUUBREEEY!!! CAASSIIIDY!!! LOOOOOOPEEEEEZZZ!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this is my kind of girl! You see that stride in her step? How little she cares about her reception? She’s hot and she knows it. That’s the attitude I like in a competitor, that’s the attitude winners have!

Mark Stephens: She is a promising rookie who has had a lot of early success thus far in her career, VANGUARD is a vastly different place but she seems confident that the success she has found elsewhere will also be found here.

[ Aubrey steps into the ring, looking over to both Sakuya and Raena with a smile on her face before turning to the crowd, once again basking in their displeasure. ]

[ “Mz. Hyde” by Halestorm fills the arena next as a bare leg emerges from the curtain first, followed by the rest of Aphrodite Marie, seductively running her hands down her body before making her way down the aisle, avoiding contact with extended hands with a look of disgust on her face, prompting louder disapproval. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And her tag team partner! From Athens, Greece, weighing in at 125 pounds! SHE IS THE MODERN DAY GODDESS OF LOVE AND BEAUTY! APHROOOODIIIITEEEE!!! MAAAAAARIEEEEEEE!!!

Mark Stephens: You alright there, Chet?

Chet Kensington: Sorry, thought I died and went to heaven for a second. You may actually have to pinch me, Mark, because a woman that looks that good can not be of this earth.

Mark Stephens: Looks aside, Aphrodite Marie has been a… polarizing figure on the independent scene for the obvious reasons. Don’t let the looks fool you, she is dangerous in the ring. She has no hang-ups about how she gets it done, she just wants to win by any means necessary.

Chet Kensington: I’m hoping to get her number.

Mark Stephens: She has a boyfriend.

Chet Kensington: Men have died for less..

[ Aphrodite beacons official Howie Dewitt to open the ropes for her, which he does without a second thought. She comes face to face with him, licking her lips and winks at him which flusters him as she gets into the ring. She flips her hair at Raena Ripley and Sakuya Goto, who turn their backs to her displays to remove their entrance gear… only to be blindsided by Aubrey and Aphrodite! Howie looks confused in his fluster, calling for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The blindsight attack from the Aphrodite and Aubrey tandem floors their opponents, Aphrodite quickly laying the boots into Ripley before shoving her out of the ring, leaving Sakuya at their mercy. As they pull her to her feet, she tries fighting them off with shots to the abdomen, resorting to stiff chops to their chest to make some distance. She runs off the ropes to mount some serious offence but is cut off at the pass with a Manhattan Drop, leaving her open for a Big Boot by Aphrodite. Howie Dewitt tries to restore some order as he tries to escort Aubrey to her team's corner, but Aubrey points out the returning Raena, to which Howie gets between Raena and Aphrodite to get Raena onto the apron. Aubrey makes good use of the official's distraction by stomping away at Sakuya before pulling her closer to her team's corner for Aphrodite to keep the advantage.

A foot choke in the corner keeps Sakuya grounded as Aphrodite makes the tag, bringing Aubrey in to assist her with an Irish Whip to add velocity behind a Bronco Buster to Sakuya Goto. Her team in early control, Aubrey gets a little mouthy with the crowd before turning her attention back to the opposition, she pulls Sakuya onto her feet, only to plant her back onto the canvas with a one-handed swinging neckbreaker. She asserts herself into a cover.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

But it’s not enough as Sakuya gets the shoulder up. Aubrey tries to whip Sakuya back into her team's corner, but Sakuya holds her ground and reverses the whip into her team's corner and quickly follows up with a running double knee attack. With the window of opportunity, Sakuya makes the tag to Raena and she whips Aubrey into her waiting arms for a Michinoku Driver II. Showing impressive cohesiveness, the tandem follows up with a wheelbarrow assisted senton for Sakuya, followed quickly by an assisted Moonsault for Raena, a sequence that pops the crowd. The two take a second to be boastful before turning their attention to Aphrodite, who screams as the two grab her and hip toss her into the ring, cartwheeling in tandem and striking her in the chest with stereo dropkicks. Now in control, Raena turns her attention back to Aubrey, pulling her up to her feet and plants her shoulder into her midsection, planting her back into the canvas with a beautiful bridging Northern Lights Suplex.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

Aubrey kicks out at two, but Raena keeps control as she takes Aubrey back to her team's corner, making the tag back to Sakuya. With a springboard thrust kick, Aubrey is sent over the top rope and onto the floor. Rallying the fans again, Raena opens stands on the middle rope and pulling the top rope upwards while Sakuya delivers an impressive suicide dive between Raena’s legs that wipes out Aubrey. Hoping to follow it up with one of her own, Raena runs towards the opposing ropes, only for Aphrodite to pull the top rope down, sending Raena toppling over and to the outside with a nasty landing. Sakuya quickly hurries in to help her partner, but Aubrey grabs her boot from beneath the bottom rope, leaving her open for Aphrodite’s Cat Scratch Fever Superkick. Being the legal participant, Aubrey quickly takes advantage by returning Sakuya to her feet, sending her off the ropes only to be planted into the canvas with a hard spinebuster she calls The Aubrey Driver. She scurries into the cover, Aphrodite keeping guard for Raena.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! TH -

No, Sakuya manages to kick out. Going for the kill, Aubrey pulls Sakuya into the Reverse Swinging STO, One-Winged Empress! But Sakuya finds a burst of energy to push Aubrey off and into Aphrodite, both sandwiched in the corner as Sakuya picks up a head of steam. Aubrey moves out of the way but Aphrodite catches the double knee strike to the back! Aubrey charges in but Sakuya sidesteps and begins to light up Aubrey’s chest with a series of machine gun-style chops. Sent to the opposite corner, Sakuya lands a running forearm strike to Aubrey’s chin, knocking her into a seated position as Sakuya combat rolls into the middle of the ring and charges with a nice Hesitation Dropkick! Sakuya keeps her momentum going, charging back towards Aphrodite, only to be sidestepped. Sakuya counters quickly by slingshotting herself up, catching herself onto Aphrodites shoulders and spiking her down with a Reverse Frankenstiener! Fubukirana! Raena back on the canvas, holding a hand out for the tag, Sakuya crawls over to make it. Both opponents incapacitated, Sakuya gets the tag!

A house of fire, Raena stomps on the canvas as soon as she gets in the ring, the fans clapping along to the beat as Raena awaits Aubrey to get to her feet. Aubrey is immediately met with the discus lariat, the Will-O-Wisp knocking her down as Raena goes for the cover.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THR -

Aphrodite Marie interjecting by breaking up the cover, but is met with a returning Sakuya who knocks her out of the ring with a big impact Top Rope Dropkick! Going to deal with Aphrodite on the apron, Sakuya motions to Raena to finish this, which she reciprocates with a nod. With a restrained Aphrodite on the apron, Raena lifts Aubrey up and elevates her for her Pumphandle Uranage, but Aubrey flows through and rolls her up with the O’Connor Roll.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THR--

Raena kicks out and shoves off Aubrey, but Aphrodite sneakily makes a tag on Aubrey as she hits the ropes, returning and gets caught by Raena with the Blue Thunder Bomb! The Ripley Bomb connects and Raena raises a fist in the air as she covers in the bomb position! But Howie Dewitt refuses to count, telling Raena Aubrey isn’t the legal participant. Confused, Raena doesn’t expect the sneak superkick to the back of the head by Aphrodite, who has fought off Sakuya to get the tag and attack. Sakuya makes her way to her own corner, leaning over the ropes to tag a downed Ripley, awaiting Aphrodite to stop flaunting to the crowd, catching her with a vicious Springboard Forearm Smash! The Setouchi Curve hits and Sakuya is calling to finish this! She climbs to the top rope, raising both hands in the air as the prone Aphrodite is vulnerable, looking to hit the beautiful Diving Elbow Drop she calls the Avast!

Aubrey intervenes as she grabs Sakuya Goto’s leg and pulls it out from under her, crotching her on the turnbuckle! The fans detest being witness to the Avast, and Ripley looks to help her partner with her Blind Fury Sucker Punch, but Aubrey catches Raena on her shoulder and delivers the One-Winged Empress off the apron and onto the ringside mats with a hard thud! Alone with a hurt Sakuya, Aphrodite recovers and hooks Sakuya’s head under her arm, pulling her out into the cradle and spikes her down with the DDT! Love Bites connects as Aphrodite lays on top of Sakuya for the cover!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Mz. Hyde” by Halestorm fills the arena as loud disapproval for the victors of this contest are heard. Aubrey rolling into the ring, she and Aphrodite have their hands raised by Howie Dewitt. ]

Rhett Sweeney: HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS! AUBREY CASSIDY-LOPEZ AND APHRODITE MAAAARIEEEE!!!

Chet Kensington: Now that was a siiiiick tag team match! It was all go from the very beginning and there was no letting up, no phoning it in on either side! What a contest, Mark!

Mark Stephens: They got the upper hand early, their methods were anything but sporting, but this team managed to take down a game Sakuya Goto and Raena Ripley.

Chet Kensington: You don’t gotta like it, Mark, but you gotta respect the desire to get the job done by any means necessary. There is NO playing friendly with opponents in VANGUARD.

[ Aphrodite and Aubrey leave the ring, walking up the aisle as Raena rolls into the ring, checking on Sakuya as she looks up to the victors, a look of disappointment on her face. ]

---

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---

[GAIA]

[ We return to ringside, Rhett Sweeney with the microphone in hand. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 10-minute time limit!

[ “Let Him Burn” by The Relentless plays through the arena as Jason Tressler is already standing on the corner turnbuckle, removing his shirt and tossing it aside as he jumps into the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Already in the ring! From Emerald Isle, North Carolina, weighing in tonight at 168 pounds! JAAAAASOOOOON!!! TREEEESLEEEER!!!

Mark Stephens: A young and promising young talent and the son of the man we saw earlier in Vernon Tressler. A ripe age of 18, Jason wants to prove he is a competent wrestler without having to stand in his father's shadow.

Chet Kensington: If I were him, I would be riding that high of being a Tressler. He has it pretty much made and he’s being spoiled with an opportunity tonight. He’s only getting this shot because matches have gone short.

[ “My Time” by The Chris Warren Band hits as lights start to flicker really fast with Blue and White light and we see Chris Matthews walking from the back and standing on the stage. He looks around the crowd and they give him a mix reaction. Booing cause he's a bad guy, but cheering knowing that there's an ass-kicking coming. He brings his hands up and pounds his chest and he starts to walk towards to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing his opponent! From Grand Rapids, Michigan, weighing in at 217 pounds! THE LEGEND OF THUNDER! CHRIIIIIS!!! MAAAAATHEEEEWS!!!

Mark Stephens: A well-conditioned athlete with nearly 10 years in the industry already, Chris Matthews has joined VANGUARD Pro to be one of the best, fighting to be at the very top of the company.

Chet Kensington: You know the saying “if you’re not here to be the top guy, you shouldn’t be here”? Well, Chris Matthews doesn’t think anyone should be here because that top spot is going to be his. I feel sorry for Jason, this isn’t going to be pretty.

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The bell rings and both men circle the ring, scouting out the other. As they get closer, Chris Matthews starts mouthing off to the youngster, pie-facing him disrespectfully which knocks him on his ass. Clearly not taking Jason Tressler seriously, he gloats over him, demeaning him right from the start. Tressler gets back up to his feet and slaps Matthews across the face, quickly changing his expression. Chris Matthews swipes back but Tressler avoids it and launches a series of forearm strikes into Matthews jaw instead, rocking him for the moment. Running off the ropes to pick up momentum, he is caught by Matthews with a Pendulum Backbreaker, causing Tressler to writhe with pain as his lower back is slammed into the knee. Pulling Tressler to his knees, Matthews holds him by the jaw, yelling in his face that he’s “A stupid kid in a man's sport” and proceeding to kick him in the chest. Again and again, the series of S.E.A.L KICKS find their mark on Tressler's chest, Matthews takes a step back to land a buzzsaw style roundhouse to Tressler's head. Jason narrowly avoids the kick, Matthews recovering quickly but not able to avoid a lungblower by Tressler. Mounting his first real offence, Tressler quickly capitalises with a pretty standing Moonsault, but doesn’t attempt a cover as he starts showboating, enthusiastic by his offence. He raises his arm in the air, standing and waiting for Matthews to recover. He picks up momentum and swings with his father's finisher; the Crooked Arm Lariat. But Matthews hooks his arm on Tresslers, catching him and positions him for the Deep Impact, lifting him up and dropping him hard onto the canvas with the Inverted DDT. Tressler's hubris costing him big time as Matthews waits for him to recover, getting to his hands and knees before viciously stomping his face down into the mat with the Reign of Thunder! Matthews makes the cover on the knocked out Tressler.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]


[ “My Time” by The Chris Warren Band hits as Chris Matthews stands tall over the fallen rookie, hand being raised as he looks out to the crowd, looking unamused with his challenge. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Here is your winner! CHRIIIIIS!!! MAAAATHEEEEWS!!!

Chet Kensington: That was embarrassingly quick. Jason Tressler begged for this match, squabbled for this opportunity and he couldn’t even put a dent in Chris Matthews armor. The kid should have read this situation much differently.

Mark Stephens: Jason had a few bright moments but he ultimately overcome to trying to pick up a quick victory over a man with more than 8 times the experience he has, got too cocky and it cost him greatly. This Chris Matthews looked impressive, but you can tell this isn’t even scratching the surface.

---

A video package begins to play, promoting the impending debut of Norwegian wrestler Jörmungandr. The package is amateurish, depicted in a caricature, cartoonist style showing the legend of the Midgard Serpent and Thor, Jörmungandr proclaimed nemesis in Norse mythology. The three meetings between Jörmungandr and Thor are shown on the broadcast, mountains shaded a lime green behind a large castle as Thor encounters the giant king, Útgarða-Loki. Thor is put through a series of tests, one being that he must lift Jörmungandr, disguised as a big cat, to prove his strength. He is incapable of doing this however does manage to lift a sole paw.

Their second meeting is shown, Thor and the giant Hymir going out to sea on a wooden boat to find Jörmungandr. Thor casts the head of an Ox into the sea to tempt the serpent out from beneath the waters, which works, but before either foe can strike Hymir cuts the line of the rod, sending Jörmungandr back into the sea. Their final encounter is predicted to occur at Ragnarök, where Jörmungandr will release his grip around the world and poison the oceans and sky. True to the story, Thor swings his hammer to kill Jörmungandr however he misses, Jörmungandr then bites the god and poisons him, causing him to walk nine paces and then fall to his death.

As Jörmungandr looks over his slain opponent, the amateurish video package fades out before falling to black, as the words "Jörmungandr is coming." appears from the smoke in capital, block letters. His theme song, "Rúnatal" by Gaetir the Mountainkeeper plays softly as the words remain on the screen for a number of seconds before once more the video package fades to black.

---

[GAIA]

Rhett Sweeney: The following tag team match is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 20-minute time limit!

[ As “Gold” by Brockhampton fills the arena, a confident Leo Starrick comes out to the entrance way. Hands behind his back as he makes his way down the ramp and towards the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Verona, Italy, weighing in tonight at 206 pounds! HE IS PURE GOLD! LEEEEOOOOO!!! STAAAARIIIIIIICK!!!

Chet Kensington: Young, Brash, apparently pure gold. You used the phrase sky-high upside earlier, and I think I have to echo that phrase when I look at the 20 year old Leo Starrick. Carrying himself with a lot of confidence for a young man in the business.

Mark Stephens: It’s whether or not that confidence is founded that will be at the test tonight. Starrick has a massive chip on his shoulder, feeling carried through his younger years and has come to VANGUARD to prove he can not only do things on his own, but do *big* things on his own.

[ Starrick climbs the turnbuckle, looking out to the masses with his hands behind his back and a sly smirk as he hops down, removing his jacket as he awaits the arrival of his opposition. ]

[ A noir filter covers the screen as strobe lights fill the arena, changing to the pace of “The Hunter” by Slaves. Emerging to the entrance way comes the glasses wearing, coat dragging Aaron Casbah makes his way down to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And his opponent! From Chelsea, South-West London, England, weighing in tonight at 201 pounds! HE IS THE CHESSMASTER! AAAAAAROOOOON!!! CAAAAAASBAAAAAAH!!!

Mark Stephens: a clash of two technically minded but abrasive personalities. Nonetheless the crowd seemed to be getting behind Aaron Casbah more -- mostly because of their distaste of Leo Starrick.

Chet Kensington: I don't think there are many Tories in Los Angeles so Casbah is in friendly territory here. Rumor has it this Casbah guy lives up to the chessmaster moniker, saying he can outsmart any opponent and he even learns and adapts their style through experiencing it first hand.

Mark Stephens: That is the rumor going around anyway. Casbah is quite the enigma, so I am curious to see how he approaches facing a fellow witty opponent in Leo Starrick… What is a Torie by the way?

Chet Kensington: You have a phone.

[ Casbah gets into the ring and engages the crowd by screaming “FUCK THE TORIES!” out to them, actually getting a positive reaction from being the de facto fan favorite in this encounter. He removes his glasses and coat, limbering up in his corner as Blackwell calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The match progressed in a very old school way with Starrick taking a lot of time to stall and frustrate Casbah, apparently in absolutely no hurry to lock up. Once they do, they trade a couple strikes and Starrick’s able to take over the advantage by singling out Casbah’s ribs and back. Over the next couple minutes he deftly punishes Casbah’s back with a variety of moves, including a Snap Suplex with a float over cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO!

Only two, but quickly follows up with a Springboard Elbow with another cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO!

Two again, Starrick is trying to keep the pace fast, making sure to put a little extra oomph on each attack to keep the pain on the back going. But Casbah, ever the veteran, is able to work out a way to gain the advantage by moving out of the way of an attempted moonsault. He starts firing back, mirroring Starrick’s assault on his back but stepping it up a notch, aggressively targeting Starrick with a Gordbuster before hitting a Northern Lights Suplex, bridging it high.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T--

The intensity seems to ramp up from here as each man begins to dig into their signature moves. Following a cunning trip on Casbah while baseball sliding under the ropes, dropping the Chessmaster on his face, Starrick quickly slides back into the ring and stalks his prey, catching him with a signature Springboard Tornado DDT called the Non Ci Pivone. Forearm in the chin of Casbah as Starrick makes the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THR--

Close, but not close enough. Starrick pulls Casbah to his feet, holding his head as he climbs the turnbuckles in an attempt for a Shiranui, but The Chessmaster capitalises on the position, catching him mid move and hitting the Roll Tide Death Valley Bomb. A cover is made.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THR--

An equally close two count. Starrick later would connect with a step up enzuigiri, but as he bent down to try to lift Casbah up for a lawn dart, Casbah would squirm out of it and connect with the Forced Move, a Bicycle Knee Strike the rocks the youngster, and delivers a bridging dragon suplex with Starricks shoulders on the match.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THRE--

A NARROW two count! Casbah lifts Starrick back up and went for another Roll Tide but Starrick slid down his back, rolling him up with an O’Connor Roll, grabbing the ropes unbeknownst to Larry as a cover is made.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREE--

But Casbah STILL is able to kick away at two! Casbah is up and runs right into a Superkick, though! Starrick calls for the end and lifts Casbah back up, looking for the Prologue Fireman's Carry Gutbuster that will lead into his Epilogue finishing kick! But as Starrick elevates Casbah off his shoulders he counters it, landing flat on his feet and rolling Starrick backwards! He drills Starrick with a roundhouse kick and a double stomp as soon as Starrick’s back hits the mat! He then hauls Starrick up in an inverted DDT position, calling for the end, and spins into Rock The Casbah! Rolling Cutter connects! Casbah hooks the leg as a cover is made!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “The Hunter” fills the arena again as Casbah raises to his feet, gleaming with sweat after a hard-fought back and forth with Starrick, his hand being raised by Blackwell. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Here is your winner! AAAAAROOOOON!!! CAAAAASBAAAAAH!!!

Mark Stephens: Now that was a highly intense contest, no man had the upper hand for very long because they had an answer for everything. But Starrick couldn’t find an answer to the Rock the Casbah, and that led to Aaron Casbah getting his first victory here in VANGUARD Pro!

Chet Kensington: My blood is pumping, and we’re only halfway through the show! Starrick has nothing to be ashamed of, he has a bright future here in VANGUARD. Tonight though is not the night for Pure Gold. Tonight, it was unfortunately checkmate.

---

We go backstage to find D.C. Wiland. Still in his suit before his match preparations begin, we catch him just as he's getting off the phone.

"Okay. I'll admit it," he barks at the camera as he puts his phone away. "I got nothing. I gathered a team of computer people, paid them good money, and they came within... uh, what's the computer lingo equivalent of inches? They came mere kilobytes away, I guess, of making a breakthrough, but in the end, here I stand with no results from them. I don't know who or what GAIA is, nor how to control it. For once in my life, my knowledge on something is on the same level as everyone else's on the roster."

Wiland sighs as he crosses arms across his chest.

"But you know what? Fine. I'm gonna play ball. Tonight, I'm gonna do it ye olde fashioned way. I'll win my match and prove to whatever is watching over us here at Vanguard that I am not just The Main Man, I am the main event. Tonight is the night you all see D.C. Wiland is not just all talk. He is in fact..."

He leans toward the camera.

"THE BESTEST! ... In. The. Wooooorld."

---

[GAIA]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 15-minute time limit!

[ The lights go completely out leaving the entire audience in suspense as the song "One for the money" By Escape the Fate hits the speakers. The fans instantly know exactly who's coming out to the ring. Suddenly a single spotlight hits the stage and standing there in a spiked jacket with the hood pulled up over her head happens to be the self-proclaimed Scream Queen. She smirks out peering from under the hood looking out at all the faces before she turns sideways and skips down the steel ramp ignoring all the fans attempting to reach out to her as she makes her way down the rampway. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 115 pounds! THE SCREAM QUEEN! PAAANDOOORAAA!!! BAAAREEEETT!!!

Mark Stephens: Despite her popularity in this arena, Pandora Barrett is by far one of the most in-demand competitors on the VANGUARD Pro roster, showing up anywhere and everywhere, one of the most driven competitors on the roster. I can’t even bring myself to mention how many times she has competed for this week alone.

Chet Kensington: You see that as a positive, Mark? Because I see it as a detriment. She is a great competitor from what I hear, I will judge that for myself when I see it, but competing multiple times during the week, not even bringing into the factor who she has faced and for how long, endurance is not going to be on her side in this one.

Mark Stephens: Perhaps not but she is not going to go down without a fight. These people might not like her attitude, but they can respect her hustle.

Chet Kensington: … Did you really hustle?

[ Pandora makes her way towards the side turnbuckle and easily pulls herself up to sit on the top one crossing her legs and proceeds to wait on her opponent to make their appearance. ]

[ "Storm The Sorrow" by Epica plays as Chloé Leuthard steps out from behind the curtain, walking with grace and a confident smirk on her face, displaying her arrogance as she holds her arms aloft, almost as if she is to be a subject of worship for the fans in attendance, who don’t take this in kind. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And her opponent! From Winterthur, Switzerland, weighing in tonight at 114 pounds! SHE IS THE DESTROYING ANGEL! CHLOOOOOÉÉÉÉÉ! LEEEUUUTHAAARD!!!

Chet Kensington: If someone were to sell me the idea of the perfect woman, I don’t think you’d have to look much further than right here with Ms Chloé Leuthard. Exceptionally beautiful, effortless in her agility, a sharp tongue and incomparable confidence. I would say I am in love at first sight.

Mark Stephens: If only you hadn’t been falling in love, at first sight, all night.

Chet Kensington: This time I mean it!

Mark Stephens: Chloé Leuthard has labelled Pandora as a Sacrificial lamb, a defeat for the greater good; herself. She has been saying that her status as the best female wrestler in VANGUARD is all but inevitable and that’s a level of confidence that can be admired but is it founded? We shall see in a matter of moments.

[ The two women stand in the ring, waiting for the match to begin. Chloe Leuthard, in particular, seems to be fired up and ready to go. Once senior referee Larry Blackwell is sure that both women are ready, he calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Showcasing just how motivated she is, Chloé Leuthard immediately runs across the ring. She hits Pandora in the mouth with a forearm shot, and then a second, and then a third. Blow after blow connects with the Scream Queen. Pandora Barrett desperately tries to create a bit of space between herself and Chloé. The Destroying Angel stays relentless until she finally decides to grab Pandora and shoot her across the ring. Chloé steps toward the center of the ring to meet her. She lifts Pandora in the air on the rebound to deliver an inverted atomic drop. While Pandora is recovering, Chloé bounces off of the ropes and nearly takes her head off with a clothesline!

Pandora wisely rolls over to the ropes while pulling herself back up to her feet. Chloé calmly watches her for a moment before closing the gap between the two. She grabs Pandora, but before she can do anything else, Pandora turns and hits Chloé in the mouth with an elbow shot. The impact briefly sends Chloé staggering. That is all that Pandora Barrett needs to charge at Chloé Leuthard. Before Chloé can truly recover, Pandora catches her in the back of the head with an enziguri! Chloé’s face hits the mat hard, though she nonetheless tries to pull herself back up to her feet. Unfortunately for her, Pandora is ready to strike once again---bouncing off of the ropes and catching Chloé with a running dropkick! She rolls Chloe over and goes for the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T --

Chloé kicks out! Pandora glares down at Chloé with anger on her face. She waits for Chloé to start pulling herself back up to her feet. She then steps toward Pandora and hits her with a slap to the face that echoes throughout the arena. Pandora grabs Chloé and pulls her in, delivering a reverse DDT that bounces Chloé’s head off of the mat. Pandora once again goes for the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH --

Chloé kicks out again! Pandora once again looks down at Chloé and begins to mumble under her breath, the camera unable to pick up a single word that she said. Pandora Barrett then lines herself up with her fallen opponent and bounces off of the ropes. When she gets back to Chloé on the rebound, she leaps into the air and tries to land on her with a senton. Chloé rolls out of the way just in time, causing Pandora's back to hit the mat instead! Pandora's eyes go wide with pain for a moment. Chloé tries to drag herself back up to her feet, grabbing hold of Pandora Barrett in the process. Pandora starts to fight with Chloé Leuthard in an effort to keep her from doing anything to regain the momentum in the match. Unfortunately, Chloé is able to snap off Rhine Falls, the fallaway slam, anyway! Chloé hooks the leg and goes for the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! TH --

Pandora Barrett kicks out! Smirking, Chloé steps toward Pandora, hitting her with a European uppercut to knock her groggy. She then steps back and lines herself up with Pandora's head. Chloé pauses for a moment before charging forward. She tries to catch Pandora by surprise with a shining wizard, but Pandora barely ducks underneath the attempt. She positions herself behind Chloé and starts to pound away on the back of her head with a series of strikes. Pandora grabs Chloé and starts to drag her back up to her feet. She grabs both of Chloé’s arms and positions herself behind Chloé, trying to set her up for a German suplex of sorts. Chloé does what she can to fight Pandora and keep her from properly getting into position for the slam, but is only met with Pandora’s All For One Modified Lungblower! Pandora looks to finish this off as she ascends to the top rope, blowing a kiss to Chloé as she leaps off for the Final Flash Diving Double Foot Stomp! Chloé evasively avoids the impact as Pandora staggers a few steps before regaining her balance -- unfortunately eating Chloé’s Angelic Demise, the running bicycle kick, for her efforts! Chloé hooks Pandora’s leg for the cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!!

[ "Storm The Sorrow" by Epica hits as Chloé gets back up to her feet, a joyous smile on her face as she stands victorious, refusing to let Larry Blackwell raise her arm as she raises them herself, once again in a pose of a goddess of worship as Pandora is on the outside, seemingly upset at the outcome. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Here is your winner! CHLOOOOOÉÉÉÉÉ! LEEEUUUTHAAARD!!!

Mark Stephens: Pandora was just one move away from victory! Had that double foot stomp connected, I can assure you this contest would have went the opposite way.

Chet Kensington: Yeah, well, it didn’t. Chloé needed one opportunity and one opportunity alone to hit that Angelic Demise and she took the opening flawlessly. Credit where it is due, Pandora showed me the rumors about her are true, she’s a star in the making, but tonight, the star is Chloé Leuthard!

---

We would like to advertise our friends over at Iconic Pro Wrestling!
You can find them at the following URL: iconicprowrestling.proboards.com/

---

[GAIA]

Rhett Sweeney: The following tag team match is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 30-minute time limit!

[ Flashing lights begin to appear around the arena as “Berzerk” by Eminem blasts from the PA. Gerard walks out onto the stage sporting a flipped up hoodie that he flips down after kneeling and rising to his feet. He tags a few Fan's hands before climbing the ring steps onto the apron and vaulting over the ropes into the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From Babylon, New York, weighing in tonight at 225 pounds! HE IS THE MANIC STREET PREACHER! GEEERAAAARD!!! WIIIIIINTEEEEEERS!!!

Mark Stephens: The man you’re seeing in the ring right now has garnered quite a name on the independent scene for his reckless, daredevil style in the ring. Admits that being in the ring is like a drug that slows his brain down but his heart is beating three times faster -- wrestling with pure and unadulterated adrenaline.

Chet Kensington: Yeah, pretty sure we should be checking him for trace marks. Looks as sketchy as they come and with that description, from the man himself none the less, we’ve let a rabid street dog into the ring with REAL competitors.

Mark Stephens: What is that supposed to mean?

[ Winters throws up the devil horns symbol with his fingers to the crowd and goes to his corner, awaiting his opponents and tag team partner. “Bezerker” dies down and the arena is instead filled with a voice. ]

"Will you tell these fools I'm not crazy! Make them listen to me before it's too late!"

The arena suddenly goes completely pitch black.

"Listen to me. PLEASE listen. If you don't, if you won't...if you fail to understand, then the same incredible terror menacing me will STRIKE AT YOU!"

[ The driving drums and guitar of “Vendetta” by Slipknot barrels over the loudspeaker as everything explodes into a cacophony of red and white searchlights and strobes. The stage fills with white smoke as the fans pound the rails in time with the song. As the first verse is roared out, Erik Holland comes staggering through the mist, a black leather entrance mask tight over his face, the Badd Breed logo prominent on his back and the back of the entrance mask as the camera swings around him, getting a 360 view of the Maniac. He reaches up and pulls the mask off his head, exposing that thousand yard stare to the roars of the crowd. He continues on his almost dazed walk to the ring, pounding his chest, touching fists with fans on the way to the ring, occasionally lifting the mask up to the side of his head as if he's having a conversation with it. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing his tag team partner! From Silent Hill, weighing in tonight at 281 pounds! HE IS GILGAMESH! EEEERIIIIIK!!! HOOOOLLAAAAAND!!!

Chet Kensington: You know, I’ve never been more glad we’re located up in the balcony arena of the Globe Theatre. I’m a fearless man, but this Erik Holland guy makes me feel incredibly uneasy.

Mark Stephens: For the first time tonight, I think we agree on something, Chett. Erik Holland is a madman in that ring, loves inflicting punishment on his opponents and there is no method to it, nothing flashy, just a savage nature to everything he does. He is often referred to as the Bye Bye Man, it might sound innocent but there is a lot of horrible implications behind it.

Chet Kensington: I’m fine with him saying bye bye, just don’t want him to say hello to me. Oh shit, he looked up here...

[ Holland cuts a lazy circle around the ring as he reaches ringside and suddenly he explodes. His intensity and acceleration change as he DIVES under the ropes into the ring and charges at the hard camera ropes, collapsing against them with a positively vicious smile on his face, draping arms and legs over the ropes. He repeats this on all four sides of the ring and then leaps from the ring again, picking out a random fan and slowly, almost reverently, placing the tight leather entrance mask over their head. Obviously proud of his handiwork, a visibly elated Holland charges back into the ring, raising his arms on the turnbuckles, yelling at the crowd and whipping them up into a frenzy. He looks over to Gerard Winters, who has been squatting into a corner, and drops down from the turnbuckle and approaches him. Gerard whips his hoodie back as he and Holland come face to face, looking each other in the eye with no expression on their faces. ]

Chet Kensington: You can already feel an aura of hostility in that ring, and it’s not even between opponents. Holland and Winters are teaming together in this match and they’re nose to nose with each other already. They’ve had no prior interactions to my knowledge, but you can already feel these two don’t like each other and that they are most likely going to be unable to co-exist.

[ Both men don’t break eye contact for a few seconds as the frenzied crowd are anticipating a pre-match breakdown of this team. Both men look over to the entranceway in unison as the theme for one of their opponent's plays. ]

[ As the beat drops with the final line of the intro of “Almost Famous” by G-Easy, D.C. Wiland makes his way onto the stage, a cocky smirk on his face as he struts his way down the aisle while avoiding the attention of the crowd with everyone in the crowd. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing their opponents! First, from Santa Monica, California, weighing in tonight at 200 pounds! HE IS THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BESTEST IN THE WORLD! D!!! C!!! WIIIIILAAAAND!!!

Mark Stephens: Bestest isn’t a word…

Chet Kensington: Oh, yes it is! Did you not just hear it? D.C. Wiland is the BESTEST in the World. Not the best, the bestest. That is some A-Grade confidence right there and it should be respected. He wants to be the main event player of VANGUARD and with this self-assurance, who are you to question it?

Mark Stephens: Regardless of what he calls himself, D.C. Wiland’s confidence shouldn’t be mistaken for being overly arrogant. Wiland is incredibly skilled in the ring, doesn’t subscribe to the spoiled rich kid getting by with underhanded tactics. His business ventures after he inherited his father's company took a lot of time off of him, but now, D.C. Wiland is ready for a big comeback to the ring. He is an impeccable wrestler, the only issue is that he knows it.

Chet Kensington: No shame in advertising yourself as what you are, Mark. Like when I say I’m the best commentator in VANGUARD; I’m just advertising myself.

Mark Stephens: riiight…

[ Wiland looks into the ring as he climbs to the apron and wiping his boots, thinks better of the situation as both Holland and Winters have their attention turned to him. Stepping back and choosing to wait for his partner before entering the ring. ]

[ The introduction of "Rain" by Mai Yamane came in a haunting tune of a church organ. The arena falls into a deep red as Brando makes his way onto the stage. He looks directly into the ring, his piercing light eyes dropping on that alone. The fog that lingers around threatens to swallow him whole. Yet, he does not stand there long. The crowd is at a hush, feeling the emanating force of the solemn destroyer of man. It takes what feels like an eternity for Brando to break away from his statue-like stance at the tip of the stage. Once he does, there is an eerie motion to it all, a burst of energy summoning the effort to move. He starts his way down the ramp, a methodical march to war. His stance is loose, teasing his black coat to whip around. As Mai belts out the depressive lyrics, Brando reaches the end of the walkway. He closes his eyes and brings his hand up to his face, lightly touching the scars on his face. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And his tag team partner! From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in at 253 pounds! HE IS THE LAST KING! DEEEEEEVIIIIIIN!!! BRAAAAANDOOOOO!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this is the man I have been waiting all night to see, Mark! Going on 12 years in the business, a trophy room of championship belts to his name, a metaphorical treasure hunter when it comes to gold in this industry, Devin Brando is here in VANGUARD Pro! And the atmosphere that he brings with him *quivers* sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?

Mark Stephens: I can’t say it’s unwarranted, Chet. Devin Brando is a name that has garnered a reputation for evolving in this industry, the once egotistical youngster has manifested into a battle-hardened veteran. Some have described him as a monster when he steps into the ring and that his cold expression hides a beast behind the skin, so we’ll have to see if those criticisms are true.

Chet Kensington: OOOOOOH boy! This is gonna be a good one!

[ Devin continues into the ring where he stays on the mat for a moment. He raises slowly, cracking the joints of his body as his two opponents stare at him and D.C. Wiland as he joins his partner back on the apron. They both come into the ring to join their opposition… and both teams quickly come to blows! Larry Blackwell tries talking them back into their corners, but both teams don’t retreat, forcing Blackwell to call for the bell instead. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Neither team relents as their strike battle continues, eventually, Holland and Winters get the momentary upper hand as they back the Wiland/Brando tandem into the ropes, looking at each other before irish whipping the two in stereo. Wiland and Brando counter, reversing the whip and sending Holland and Winters into the opposing ropes instead, they both duck down the deliver back body drops, but the Holland/Winters tandem instead deliver a pair of DDT’s to the team. They get to their feet, look at each other and smirks grow on their faces as they pull Brando to his feet and push him into their teams corner. Holland tries to quieten down the crowd with a finger over his lips, getting the silence he requested as he raises his arms in the air and brings both his hands down onto the chest of Devin Brando, a Mongolian Chop that sounded like the cracking of a whip that causes the crowd to verbally grimace at the impact. Pulling Brando out of the corner, Holland lifts him up for the sidewalk slam, Winter decides to get on it with a hangman's neckbreaker as Holland drops the sidewalk slam, making for an impressive tag team manoeuvre.

Chet Kensington: Not going to lie, I was not expecting this level of cohesiveness from this team.

Keeping their upper hand, Holland and Winters look to deliver more offence to Devin Brando, whipping him into the corner. Holland runs in and delivers an elbow to the jaw, making room for Winters to follow up. But D.C. Wiland, who has been picking his spots, grabs Gerard’s boot and trips him over and pulls him beneath the ropes, drives his spine into the steel guardrail! Holland takes his eyes off Brando for a second and it costs him big time as he is met with a boot to the face as soon as he turns back to him. Wiland lays boots into the lower back of Winters as Brando drives Holland into his teams corner, delivering European uppercuts to his jaw with a vicious ferocity. Wiland climbs onto the apron and extends his hand to Brando for a tag, who hesitantly obliges to allow Wiland to be the legal participant.

Wiland smirks as he gets in the ring, unzipping the vest of Holland to expose his chest before delivering a stiff-sounding chop to Hollands chest, followed by another, and another, delivering a flurry of chops that leaves Hollands a bright red. Holland reacts with a slap to D.C. Wiland’s face, seemingly unphased by them, only to receive a firm knee to the abdomen by Wiland, reeling him over. Annoyed by the slap, Wiland pulls Holland out and slams him into the mat with a flatliner, rolling Holland over for a cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T-- !

Mark Stephens: Only a two for Wiland, Holland with plenty of fight left in him.

Wiland doesn’t hesitate to keep on the attack, using a stomach claw that draws nuclear heat from the crowd, heat that Wiland grins to receive. Winters slides into the ring and kicks Wiland off of Holland, but Brando quickly intervened and tosses Winters back to the outside. Wiland mouths off to Winters as Brando lays the boots to him on the outside, turning around to be met with Holland’s discus lariat that turns Wiland inside out. Holland, unaware of Winters situation, stumbles to his corner only to realise he isn’t there. Holland is met quickly with a charging European uppercut by Devin Brando, not legal but making sure he and Wiland keep the upper hand. Brando tells Wiland to stand back up, waiting for him as he pulls Holland out of the corner and lifts him high for the flapjack, is also met with a flatliner by Wiland on the way down. Wiland once again goes for the cover as Brando keeps an eye on the recovering Winters.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THR-- !

Chet Kensington: An awesome tag team move but Holland kicks out at two!


Wiland showing annoyance at Holland kicking out and pulls him to his feet to deliver a move to keep him down. Tucking his head under his arm, Wiland signals for the Chocolate Flavor DDT, but Holland pulls his head out of position and instead, in one swift motion, pulls Wiland towards him and hits a beautiful spinebuster that causes Wiland to writhe in pain! Brando takes notice and turns Holland around but is met with a big uranage slam onto Wiland! Holland has made an opening and makes his way to an awaiting Gerard Winters who has recovered and is looking for the hot tag…

Mark Stephens: What is this? Holland isn’t making the tag? I thought these two were getting along!

Chet Kensington: It was only a matter of time. Winters wasn’t there when Holland needed the tag last time, looks like he wants to do this himself now.

The two begin to argue in their corner. Wiland, unknowing if a tag was made or not, rushes in and delivers a superman punch to the back of Holland’s head that causes him to stumble forward into their corner, leading to Gerard to take it upon himself to tag in. Gerard quickly ascends to the top rope, awaiting an unsuspecting Wiland, who turns around and gets taken down with a Meteora. Rolling through, Winters springs up in front of Devin Brando and delivers multiple Forearm Shivers followed by an Irish Whip into the corner, following through with a knee strike to the face and closing the sequence off by pulling Brando out and delivering a single underhook kick out facebuster. He quickly goes for the cover as no other participant is currently on their feet.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T-- !

Mark Stephens: He came in like a house of fire but that’s not enough to keep down Devin Brando.

Looking to bring an end to the contest, Gerard pulls up Brando and wraps his own arm around his neck to deliver the Straightjacket Backstabber -- Welcome to Babylon, Bitch! Winters goes for another cover, hooking the leg.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THR-- !

Chet Kensington: NOOOO! Not over yet! D.C. Wiland making the save!

Wiland with some double axe handles to the lower back of Winters, trying to soften him up more but Holland comes to his partners aid after Wiland turns around and is met with a discus Big Boot! The Babysitter's Dead! Brando has rolled out of the ring to recover, leaving Wiland with Holland and Winters. Winters and Holland get in each others face again, clearly breaking down, but turn their collective attention back to Wiland as the crowd are egging them on. They reluctantly decide to continue working together, as Holland pulls Wiland to his feet as Winters once again ascends to the top rope. Holland lifts Wiland in the air and drops him down hard with a powerbomb. Wiland is flat on the canvas as Gerard Winters hits an impressive Diving 450 Splash! High Times connects beautifully, but Wiland isn’t the legal participant.

Gerard learns that fact the hard way as, while he gets to a knee after delivering the splash, is met with a stiff superkick to the side of the head by a returning Devin Brando! Despite its namesake, the move was anything but soundless. Brando is the legal man but Holland cuts him off before he can make the cover with some forearm shivers. Brando stands his ground as Holland picks up momentum for another lariat, but Brando ducks it, catching Holland as he turns him back around. Pulls him in for the Midnight Murder Scene -- Modified Lifting Reverse STO! Holland rolls backwards from the forward momentum, landing perfectly in position with Brando’s head between his legs, hooking both arms! Project: Gabriel!?

Wiland returns just in time, nailing Holland with the Jobber Clobber -- A stiff flying forearm that knocks him out! D.C. Wiland and Devin Brando have the victory in sight as they turn their attention towards Gerard Winters, who is pulling himself up on the ropes. Wiland and Brando look for the kill as Brando lifts Winters for a suplex, Wiland catching Winters feet on his shoulders as Brando turns around … AND DELIVERS A VICIOUS SUPERSTAR KILLER! ELEVATED JAWBREAKER THAT WHIPS WINTERS HEAD BACK! Wiland stands guard as Brando covers.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE!!--

Mark Stephens: HOW!? HOW DID WINTERS KICK OUT OF THAT VICIOUS JAWBREAKER!

The crowd are in disbelief, as are both Wiland and Brando, moreso frustration on Brando’s face as he TELLS Wiland to go to the top. Wiland obliges as Brando pulls Winters into the air for an Electric Chair, a variation of the Doomsday Device about to be in Winter’s future. Wiland about to leap… BUT IS MET WITH PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE! A SUPERMAN PUNCH FROM A RETURNING HOLLAND! Brando is momentarily caught off guard as Winters slips off his shoulders and lands behind him, shoving him towards Holland who catches him with a tilt-a-whirl onto his shoulder, going for In The Mouth of Madness -- a sitout reverse piledriver… BUT WINTERS WITH ONE HELL OF AN ASSIST AS HE DELIVERS A JUMPING DDT ONTO BRANDO, SPIKING HIM ON THE CANVAS! That could be it, but Winters wants to ensure this is the end! He pulls Brando up, standing behind with his arm trapped, ripcording him out for the knee strike! Babylon Smash!

Brando evades the knee and runs to the ropes, rebounds as Holland comes to Winters side for the catch. BUT HOLLAND IS TAKEN OUT OF HIS BOOTS AS BRANDO DELIVERS A VICIOUS SPEAR! POINT BLANK EXECUTION CATCHES HOLLAND AND CATCHES WINTERS OFF GUARD. Brando rolls from the momentum towards his corner, where an awaiting Wiland has rejoined the fray by tagging Brando’s back. Gerard see’s the tag being made and rushes towards them but Brando intervenes, catching him for a spinebuster! Gerard axe handles the spine of Brando to put him down and whips him away into the opposing turnbuckle. Referee checking on Brando who is reacting to his back being hurt as Gerard turns his attention back to Wiland… AND IS MET WITH A LOW BLOW! THE CROWD BOO IN DISAPPROVAL AS WILAND DELIVERS A KICK TO WINTER’S GROIN! Wiland pulls Winters head between his legs, trapping both arms as Brando makes his way over to them, getting behind Wiland…

Chet Kensington: HOOOOOLY SHIT! BRANDO WITH A RECEIPT AS HE DELIVERS A PUNT TO WINTERS HEAD AS IT’S TRAPPED BY WILAND!

WINTERS MIGHT BE KNOCKED OUT BUT WILAND ISN’T DONE AS HE LIFTS HIM UP, RUNS FORWARD AND DELIVERS THE PLEBS KILLER! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER SPIKES GERARD ON HIS HEAD AS HE GOES FOR THE COVER!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ “Almost Famous” by G-Easy fills the arena, along with a downpour of boos as D.C. Wiland demands his arm be raised by Larry Blackwell, who obliges as Devin Brando doesn’t celebrate with him, instead choosing to walk to the back. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Here are your winners! DEVIN BRANDO! AND D! C! WIIIILAAAAND!!!

Chet Kensington: WHAT A INCREDIBLE TAG TEAM CONTEST! For two teams that have never teamed before, there were moments of absolute brilliance. Not a single one of them let up on offense the entire match and the crowd, despite how they’re reacting to the winners of this match, were losing their minds at the action. Holy crap, I might need a cigarette.

Mark Stephens: Absolutely an incredible contest between these two teams. You could tell from the start, neither team had intentions of being partnered up, but you couldn’t tell it from how cohesive they were able to be. The crowd can certainly appreciate the effort put forth by both sides, regardless of the tactic taken by Wiland to secure the win.

Chet Kensington: By any means necessary, Mark.

[ Wiland celebrates alone in the ring as Holland climbs back in, causing Wiland to retreat to the outside and make his way up the ramp, still celebrating along the way as Holland looks down at the crumpled Winters at his feet, while “Almost Famous” dies down. ]

Chet Kensington: Oh god… Holland looks annoyed. This isn’t how he wanted to start his VANGUARD Pro venture…

[ Holland pulls Winters up, holding him by the jaw as he looks in his eyes with a searing anger. Winters, hardly able to stay on his feet, is hoisted onto Hollands shoulders… AND IS HIT WITH THE TOXIC AVENGER - HIGH-ANGLE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The crowd are not sure what to think of the situation as Holland looks down at him, giving him a thumbs up before slowly turning it to a thumbs down before we fade to black. ]

---

Smoke billows from an orange tip. A vintage pack of Virginia Slims crinkles and crunches as it retires to her front pants pocket. She inhales and draws in another drag. An injection of nicotine shocks her system. Her muscles immediately loosen as she closes for eyes. She relaxes in sweet bliss. Her eyes dart back open as the vapors expelled into the atmosphere.

“Vanguard Wrestling,” she says as she moves her cigarette-hand to the side. She wants the camera fully capture her gorgeous face and features. “You know, it’s hilarious watching a budding promotion sprout up.” There’s a brief pause in her speech. “Or more so, it’s hilarious to watch all these miscellaneous motherfuckers try to attach themselves to those promotions. They put on all these fuckin’ airs.

“Tom will step forth and tell every bitch in earshot that he’s held 784 world championships. Dick will put on his best Leisure Suit Larry attire, slither from the shadows, and proclaim that he’s the shit due to some unproven ability to retain money and grab ho’s. Harry is going to stand to the side and profess that ‘he’s the best in the world,’ like a delusional Nas stan posted in the middle of Harlem. And Susian? That raggedy bitch is off somewhere thinking a smile and some clown paint on her face is going to get here a W in the ring. News flash—naw.”

Air and smoke particles jet out of her nose. “It’s kinda’ like a honeymoon phase, ya’ know? Everyone presents a false version of themselves to impress. And as time goes on? You see that the initial version ain’t the real them. It was just a lie.” The left side of her mouth arches up to the ceiling. A smirk and snarl fuzes together to become something sinister. “The difference between them and me? I’m real. I’m as real as real can be.

“Do I have a million world belts? Naw. I got two. Am I the best in the fuckin’ world? Naw. Am I sexy?” The snapping of her thumb and finger create a huge pop. “Hell yeah. But that don’t mean shit.” A laugh emanates from her soul as she shakes her head.

“You know, back when I was really getting at it, I only had one objective when I stepped into the ring—

“To beat ass, of course. And honestly? It ain’t really matter to me much if I won or lost. I was content as long as I had the chance to punch a bitch in the face,” she says with a chuckle. “I was never about the glitz and flashing lights that came with professional wrestling. But I enjoyed the grittiness. The rawness…”

Silence swirls around in the air as she contemplates her next few words.

“I’m set to debut on the second Vanguard show. And before that happens, I want to make things so crystal clear that even Ray Charles can see it—

“I ain’t in Vanguard to entertain ya’. I ain’t in Vanguard to make you laugh. I ain’t in Vanguard to make you laugh.” She shakes her head. “Fuck all that!

“I’m here to scrap. I’m here to build onto my legacy, my daughter’s legacy. And above all? I’m here to ruin ya’ll. Mentally. Physically. Even Spiritually. Cause ain’t no cute shit over this way—just a woman lookin’ to catch some bodies.”

Her smoking hand returns to its original home after some time. Another shot of nicotine courses through her lungs and cells as she inhales another drag. A second or two elapses before the picture is engulfed by a gray nimbus.

---

[GAIA]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: With a 30-minute time limit!

[ “Radio Gaga” by Queen plays through the arena, the crowd sing along to the lyrics as Azurine Vebbins pirouettes onto the entrance, a solitary spotlight provides an ethereal glow as she begins to descend down the ramp like an automaton practising aerobics. She performs various other dance steps while making her way to the eastern ring apron. Along the way, she waves, high-fives and hugs certain chanters she comes into contact with. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From San Angeles, California, weighing in tonight at 115 pounds! SHE IS THE ADORKABLE ANGEL! AZUUUUUURIIIIIIINE!!! VEEEEEEBBIIIIIIINS!!!

Mark Stephens: Ladies and gentlemen, this might be the most anticipated match on the card this evening. When it comes to the female spectrum of the VANGUARD Pro roster, the two women who are about to share the ring for the very first time are possibly the most talked about on social media.

Chet Kensington: And why wouldn’t they be? Azurine Vebbins has been excited for this “Jamboree” as she has called it for quite some time, especially after finding out her opponent. She’s very quirky, very dorky, but does she have the killer instinct to beat an opponent like the one she faces tonight?

Mark Stephens: We’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?

[ Azurine glides between the bottom and middle ropes, performing another pirouette as the spotlight remains on her, smiling as the room lights return to normal. She backs into her respective corner, awaiting her opponent. ]

[ The eerie strings of “Flying Whales” by Gojira plays as the house lights go down, returning with red and white strobe lights as the beat kicks in as Stacy DeVille enters onto the stage. very focused, she makes her way down to the ring, slapping a few hands on her way to the ring. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And her opponent! From the Rose City, weighing in tonight at 137 pounds! SHE IS THE SUPLEX QUEEN! STAAAAACYYYYYY!!! DEEEEEEEVIIIIIIIILLE!!!

Mark Stephens: Stacy DeVille is a well-respected woman in the wrestling world. Born into the industry, she has even opened her own all-female promotion in Portland, was the first woman to win a Pac-12 title in freestyle wrestling while at Oregon State University. Stacy DeVille is a wrestling machine with a high pedigree.

Chet Kensington: She’s a globe-troller that commands respect with her wrestling ability. Despite liking a cocky attitude, I also like the people who do their talking in the ring. There is a reason her signing to VANGUARD was received as a big deal; she has the toolset to be one of the very best.

Mark Stephens: And right now, she’ll be facing her friend in Azurine Vebbins to prove that.

[ DeVille raises a fist for the ruckus crowd who can be heard being split down the middle with duelling “Let’s Go Stacy” “AZ-UR-INE!” chants as “Flying Whales” dies down. Both women look pretty happy to be standing across the ring from each other as they remove their respective entrance garb and remain in their corners as Howie Dewitt calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

The duelling chants don’t die down any as the two approaches each other and shake the others hand, wishing the other luck before they start circling the ring, a show of respect the fans show their approval for. The two begin the match with an impressive series of chain wrestling. Stacy was dominating in her display with her background in amateur wrestling and her strength advantage, taking Azurine to the canvas with ease with side headlock takedowns, waistlock takedowns and fireman's carrys. Azurine, although taken to the canvas with ease, didn’t stay on the canvas very long as she used her grace and agility to get back to her feet with an impressive display of her own -- most notably when Stacy applied a grounded headscissors, Azurine rolled backwards to her feet, Stacy’s legs still around her neck, hopped into a parallel position to Stacy and used a handstand to escape the hold, to which the crowd applauded as both competitors looked impressed with the others abilities.

Mark Stephens: Rightfully so, a standing ovation for an incredible sequence between these two.

The two reset themselves, circling the ring and locking up. Stacy with the power advantage gets Azurine to the ropes, sending her off only for Azurine to reverse and send Stacy off instead. Azurine catches Stacy for a hip toss but Stacy only smiles in response as Azurine isn’t able to toss her over, countering the move and slamming Azurine with a hip toss of her own. Stacy reattempts her original idea, sending Azurine off the ropes but is caught with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors and rolls beneath the bottom rope from the momentum. Azurine looks to capitalize as Stacy regains her composure outside by starting a clap beat in the arena, scouting Stacy and catching her flush with a springboard double axe handle to the outside. Azurine has momentary control, taking a second to engage the crowd before rolling Stacy back into the ring, crawling over to the cover with a leg hooked.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

Chet Kensington: An early two count for Azurine Vebbins, gonna take more than that to keep Stacy DeVille down for a 3.

Azurine goes back on the attack, lifting Stacy back to her feet before shoving her to the ropes and leaping into the air to hit a graceful yet powerful dropkick. Stacy catches herself on the ropes, Azurine landing hard on her side from the failed dropkick attempt, leading to Stacy capitalising by deadlifting Azurine off the canvas and tossing her overhead with a big belly-to-belly suplex. The momentum of the suplex sends Azurine sprawling into the corner, Stacy having control for the time being. Stacy approaches Azurine, placing both arms over the top rope before firing a stiff-sounding chop into Azurines chest, causing her to clutch at her chest and walk away to another corner. Stacy follows her, pushing her into the new corner, placing Azurine’s arms over the ropes again and fires another chop into her chest. Azurine lets out a yelp from the second chop, trying to walk away again but Stacy just follows and delivers another chop to her chest at the new turnbuckle, the impact of this one sounding much worse as Azurine crumples to her knees from the stinging hand of Stacy. The crowd chant “one more time, one more time” with one turnbuckle untouched in this barrage, and Stacy obliges by pulling Azurine up and tossing her into the last turnbuckle. Azurine fights Stacy off with a series of forearm shivers, but Stacy just brushes them off and lights up Azurines chest with three consecutive chops to the chest in retaliation. Pulling Azurine out, Stacy hooks her and delivers a snap suplex into the middle of the ring, floating over for the cover with a forearm in the jaw.

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! --

Chet Kensington: Two count for Stacy DeVille this time. Azurine taking more punishment so far but not giving this one up yet.

Stacy immediately looks to keep the upper hand when she lifts Azurine up, hooks her arm over her shoulder and lifts her for a suplex, spinning it for a falcon’s arrow. Azurine lands on her feet in front of Stacy, crowd and Stacy taken aback by the agility of the escape, but Stacy catches Azurine around the waist for a German suplex. Azurine has her bearings, however, driving an elbow back into the side of the head of Stacy DeVille to escape her grasp. Looking to run off for a high-momentum move, but Stacy grabs her by the waistband of Azurines skirt, pulling her back into her grasp and quickly lifts her for a German suplex. Azurine once again displays great agility as she flips back and lands on her feet. Stacy lands on her back and gets herself back to her feet, only to be met with a jumping clothesline when she turns around. Stacy doesn’t stay down but Azurine is running off the momentum, running off the ropes for another clothesline. Stacy pops Azurine up and catches her for a powerbomb, but Azurine is too quick to counter with a frankensteiner! Stacy ones again refuses to stay down, getting up to a knee before she is met with a knee strike to the jaw! She is glassy-eyed as Azurine once again picks up momentum and comes back to catch Stacy with a running DDT! She crawls over Stacy for the cover!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THRE--!!

Mark Stephens: SO CLOSE! WHAT A SEQUENCE BY AZURINE! ALMOST GOT THE WIN!

The crowd are really heated for this match, torn both ways but enjoying the spectacle. Azurine tries to keep Stacy grounded as she applies an Inverted Juji Gatame, putting as much torque as she possibly can to try and force DeVille to submit. The crowd are split with “Please don’t tap!” and “Tap!” chants as Stacy fights against the submission. Azurine’s eyes widen as Stacy starts getting to her feet, eventually getting to a full stance as Azurine is hanging onto her arm and, in an act to break the hold, she uses her left arm to assist her right to lift Azurine higher into the air and drop her spine-first into the canvas with a powerbomb! Both women are on their back, the crowd in chants of “This is awesome! *clap clap clap clap clap* This is awesome! *clap clap clap clap clap*”

Chet Kensington: This match is nuts! It is living up to the hype and this can go either way!

Both women get to their feet independently but Stacy seems to have her bearings already, letting out a scream before hooking her head under Azurines arm, looking for the high-angle northern lights suplex she calls the DeVille Driver. Azurine has her leg wrapped around Stacy’s making it impossible for Stacy to execute the move with the awareness she has left. Stacy is forced to give up the attempt and swings for a Lariat, but Azurine ducks it, meeting Stacy’s face with an open palm strike when she turns around that rocks her. Azurine cues for the Sweetheart Sock Hop combination, delivering two knee strikes to the sternum. The superkick doesn’t find it’s mark, however, as Stacy swipes the oncoming kick away, wrapping her arms around Azurines waist and delivers a German Suplex! But that’s not all, as she rolls over, pulling Azurine up with her, turning her around to attempt the DeVille Driver again! Azurine still somehow has the awareness to wrap her leg around Stacy’s clubbing Stacy in the back with double axe handles to fight against it! Stacy is forced to let go. Stacy has no choice as her back takes too much damage and she’s forced onto a knee and is met with Azurine’s superkick! Azurine pulls her in for the DDT, the culmination of her Sweetheart Sock Hop combination, but Stacy defiantly swings wildly with a lariat that finally catches the mark and drops Azurine! The crowd are losing their minds as Stacy, groggy from the superkick pulls Azurine up, giving up on the DeVille Driver and trying for the Mama Bear’s Mauling! Stacy has Azurine between her legs -- SNAP PILEDRIVER!!!

NO! AZURINE TRIPS UP STACY, ROLLING OVER INTO A JACKNIFE COVER! STACY IS FLAILING HER LEGS BUT AZURINE IS HOLDING ON WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS AS HOWIE MAKES THE COUNT!

Howie Dewitt: ONE! TWO! THREEEE!!!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

[ The crowd flip out as “Radio Gaga” plays over the P.A. system, both women sitting on the canvas back to back with one another, both with expressions of shock, Azurine with her hands covering her mouth in shock to her own victory. ]

Rhett Sweeney: YOUR WINNER OF THIS MATCH! AZUUUURIIIIIINE!!! VEEEEEBBIIIIIINS!!!

Chet Kensington: WOW! That was absolutely intense! That last 3 minutes was probably the most stressful moments I have ever seen as a commentator, and I’ve been doing this a good few years, Mark.

Mark Stephens: It’s definitely up there for me too, Chet. That was an incredible match and those final moments have lit the roof on fire here tonight. Stacy was dominating, her pedigree was on full display but Azurine found possibly the only way she could have kept Stacy down for a three count. Azurine may be the victor tonight but both these women shined bright!

[ Azurine has her hand raised by Howie Dewitt while Stacy leans against the turnbuckle, brushing her wet blonde hair from her face. She walks over to Azurine and puts her hand on her shoulder, forcefully turning her around and coming face to face. “Radio Gaga” dies down as Azurine and Stacy look at each other, both panting from their match, the crowd still chanting “That was awesome” at both of them. Despite being upset at the loss, Stacy nods her head and offers a hand to Azurine, who instead throws herself into a hug with Stacy to another series of applause from the fans. ]

Mark Stephens: What a heartfelt moment. Sportsmanship between friends and competitors that laid it all out in the ring. You have to respect it.

Chet Kensington: Ich…

[ Stacy raises Azurines arm as the crowd applaud… but that applause turns to boos as they are blind sighted by three blonde figures that ran to the ring and clubbed them both in the back of the heads. Chloé Leuthard, Aubrey Cassidy-Lopez and Aphrodite Marie stand in the ring, laying boots to Vebbins and DeVille. ]

Mark Stephens: Come on! Why are these three out here?! They have no reason to interrupt such a beautiful moment of sportsmanship!

Chet Kensington: They had every reason to do this, Mark! Greed can be a powerful motivation. These two women took the female headline act and you have three women here to take exception to that!

[ Stacy is taken down with a knee strike and superkick combination from Aubrey and Aphrodite, leaving Azurine as both women grab her arms while she is on her knees, leaving her at the mercy of Chloé Leuthard who is holding Azurine’s chin while yelling in her face. ]

Chloé Leuthard: This spotlight doesn’t belong to you! It belongs to me!

[ Chloé backs away, looking to deliver the Angelic Demise to the helpless Azurine Vebbins. Before she can close the gap to deliver the move, Pandora Barrett runs to the ring and steps between them, locking eyes with Chloé. The crowd are in a hush, awaiting what happens next, but Aphrodite and Aubrey try to keep the two separated as they come face to face. Aubrey is trying to calm Pandora down while Aphrodite tells Chloé she isn’t worth it. Chloé feints being calm, only to throw a slap to Pandora. But Aubrey accidentally is the recipient, while trying to hold Pandora back. Aubrey turns to Chloé, who doesn’t at all look apologetic, yelling “why’d you get in the way?!”. Aubrey snaps and jumps on Chloe, laying punches down on her with the crowd popping at the breakdown of this triad. Aphrodite pulls Aubrey off Chloe by her hair, leading to Pandora attacking Aphrodite, the two sides now fighting with one another! ]

Chet Kensington: Things have gotten volatile! What is happening!?

Mark Stephens: The women’s division is starting to break down, Chet!

[ As the four start trading strikes at each other, the crowd pop as Reana Ripley and Sakuya Goto make their way to the ring, Raena striking at Chloé and Aphrodite while Sakuya goes for Pandora and Aubrey. They hold their own for a little bit but it becomes two different 2-on-1 situations before Stacy and Azurine come to and assist Sakuya and Raena in the brawl, eventually leading to Chloé and Aphrodite retreating from the ring on the left side while Pandora and Aubrey retreat to the right with Raena and Sakuya standing back to back with Stacy and Azurine. Both outside teams back away from the ring, heading out through different sides of the arena as Sakuya, Raena, Stacy and Azurine turn around to each other. ]

Mark Stephens: Battlelines have been drawn, Chet! What can this mean for VANGUARD Pro future?!

Chet Kensington: Things are getting reaaaal interesting!

[ Raena and Sakuya nod towards Stacy and Azurine as they depart from the ring up the aisle, leaving the two to their moment in the spotlight before we cut to commercial. ]

---

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---

[GAIA]

[ We return to the arena, fans anticipating the final match of the evening as Rhett Sweeney clears his throat before raising the microphone. ]

Rhett Sweeney: The following contest scheduled for one fall! --

Crowd: ONE FALL!!!

Rhett Sweeney: Is your main event of the evening! With a 30-minute time limit!

[ “Unorthodox” by Wretch 32 Ft Example fills the arena as Mephisto stomps onto the stage, panning lights move through the arena as the crowd cheer for the big Samoan. As he takes in the crowds love, he makes his way down the aisle leading to ringside. As Mephisto reaches the ring, he pauses at the front of the ring and leaps onto the apron. ]

Rhett Sweeney: Introducing first! From San Diego, California, weighing in tonight at 282 pounds! MEEEEEPHISTOOOOOO!!!

Mark Stephens: As we come to our main event, we are seeing the 19-year-old half German, half Samoan known as Mephisto. Quite the opportunity this young man is getting; headlining the very first VANGUARD Pro show, fittingly named We Could Be Juggernauts, the man being a juggernaut in his own right.

Chet Kensington: This kid came her for an opportunity, he has one hell of an opportunity in front of him. By no means a giant, standing at an average 5 foot 10 inches, he absolutely cuts an imposing figure. An absolute unit of a man that the fans of VANGUARD have seemingly taken a quick liking to.

[ Mephisto makes his way through the ropes and raises an open hand to the crowd as “Unorthodox” dies down, Mephisto standing in his corner, awaiting his opponent. ]

[ “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath plays through the arena, the crowd singing along to the cords of the song. Lord Enon slowly and menacingly wanders out onto the stage, wearing garb that would be expected of a Mad Max antagonist, looking over the legion of fans who have stopped their singing to boo Enon as he makes his way down the aisle. ]

Rhett Sweeney: And his opponent! From the Outlands, weighing in at 325 pounds! LOOOOOORD!!! EEEEENOOOOOON!!!

Chet Kensington: Now this man is a giant! 6 feet 9 inches tall, 43 pounds heavier than Mephisto and that isn’t just mass, Mark, that is muscle! Again, I am a fearless man, but the sheer presence of this monster of a human being shakes me to my very core.

Mark Stephens: Lord Enon claims himself to be the leader of a “brotherhood of steel” and claims he has come to VANGUARD Pro to both grow and strengthen the brotherhood by competing against the strongest gladiators in the land. Can’t say there are much stronger physically than Mephisto -- I think he has come to the right place.

[ Enon steps into the ring, removing his hockey mask and raises it into the air with a loud battle cry. “Iron Man” begins to die down as Enon starts removing his garbs, Mephisto seemingly unintimidated by his opponent's presence. ]

Chet Kensington: If you look up the phrase “Unstoppable Force meets Immovable Object” you will something not unlike what we are seeing in that ring. Two behemoths that are going to slug it out until one of them has nothing left to give. This is your main event, and a good thing too, the ring may not survive.

[ Both men keep eye contact with one another as Larry Blackwell asks both men if they are ready. Neither man breaks their silent stare down before Blackwell calls for the bell. ]

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Both men walk towards each other with little fanfare from either of them, coming chest to chest as the almost foot shorter Mephisto looks up at Lord Enon, neither man looking intimidated by the other as the tension around the arena heightens. It doesn't take long to break out into a brawl as the two start exchanging forearm shivers to the jaw, a metaphorical dick measuring contest between the two to see who falters first. Enon takes advantage by driving his knee into the abdomen of Mephisto, sending him off the ropes, only to be met on return with a shoulder barge. Enon remains on his feet, actually gesturing to Mephisto to give it another try. He obliges, running off the ropes to meet him with another shoulder barge, once again unable to knock the bigger Enon down. Enon begins to mock him, telling him to try one more time. Mephisto seems done with the games and delivers a knee lift to the abdomen of Enon and pushes him back and sends him off the ropes instead. Enon delivers a shoulder barge that staggers Mephisto, but he uses the momentum to back into the ropes and return with a mighty shoulder tackle that actually knocks Enon off his feet and sends him rolling outside of the ring. Mephisto stays in hot pursuit, stepping onto the apron as Enon walks on the outside floor, turning around to be met with a flying shoulder tackle off the apron that knocks his bigger opponent down onto the floor.

Mephisto sends him back into the ring before a count can be made, stepping back into the ring only to have Enon's giant hands wrap around his neck. Forcefully trying to strangle his opponent, he is thwarted as Mephisto just breaks the grip with strikes to the arms and drives his shoulder into the ribs of Enon, ramming him into the corner and continues to drive his shoulder into the abdomen. From one corner to another, Mephisto sends Enon over with an Irish whip and quickly follows behind with a big body avalanche that squashes Enon into the turnbuckle. Picking up more momentum, Mephisto makes another sprint across the ring and returning for another, but this time Enon had it scouted and lifts Mephisto high and charges him down with a running spinebuster in the middle of the ring. The tables turning into Enon’s favor as he regains his composure, wrapping his hands around the throat of Mephisto, pulling him to his feet and tossing him hard into the corner. Moving Mephisto’s big arms out of the way, Enon pulls back and smacks his hand against Mephisto’s chest with a thunderclap level chop that causes a verbal discomfort in the crowd. Mephisto, however, doesn’t seem all that hurt by the chop, as visually no-sells the attack with a stern look on his face. Enon looks undeterred by this behavior, instead shooting another one into the thick chest of Mephisto, who just storms up to Enon and bumps into him, once again ignoring the impact of the chop as the crowd begin to really get behind this hard-hitting contest. Mephisto prompts Enon for another as he pulls the straps of his singlet down, completely exposing his chest and yelling at him loud enough to be caught on camera with his heavy Samoan accent.

Mephisto: Hit me again, you fucking pussy!

The audience flips out at his showing of toughness, as Enon spits into the palm of his hand and gives Mephisto another thunderous chop, sold entirely with only a yell. Enon gives him another, only for another yell as a response.

Mephisto: Harder, you bitch!

Enon delivers one more, only for Mephisto to be sick of taking the chops and delivers one of his own that catches Enon on the neck that causes him to keel over. Mephisto firmly has the crowd on his side as he runs off the ropes and returns with a crossbody attack, but is caught by Lord Enon who holds him there for a good few seconds before hauling him overhead with a fallaway slam! Enon sits up, visually snarling like an angry dog as he stands up and towers over Mephisto, grabbing him by the throat with one hand and pulling him up to his feet. With a big shove into the ropes, Mephisto comes back and is hit with a hard swinging side slam from Enon who places a foot on the chest of Mephisto to make a lackadaisical yet threatening cover.

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! T-- !

Chet Kensington: Mephisto kicks out with authority, nowhere close to finished in this contest!

Enon has firm control of the match now but seems to be losing control of his anger as he punts a kneeled over Mephisto in the stomach to send him out of the ring, the crowd booing these actions with very little care on Enon’s part as he follows him outside. He gives Mephisto no time to recover as he pulls him up aggressively from the floor and hoists him over his shoulder, eyeing the steel guardrail as he charges forward and drops Mephisto abdomen first onto the steel frame. Larry Blackwell trying to get control of the two but Enon just ignores his warnings while he manhandles the big Samoan, lifting him and slamming him into the padded floors with a hard scoop slam. Enon has destructive intentions, pulling Mephisto up to the apron by his hair, the seemingly unconscious Samoan let to Enon's intents as he wraps both hands around his throat, lifting him high with a chokebomb in mind on the frame of the apron! No! Mephisto comes to just in time throw fists into the head of Enon to put him down, and it takes a few for him to break his grasp. Enon is enraged and fires a big boot at Mephisto! BUT MEPHISTO CATCHES THE BOOT AND SHOVES HIM BACK FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLE POST! Enon crumples into the corner, seated and clutching his back, the impact sounded much worse than it originally looked and it is showing on the tough-as-nails Enon's face! Mephisto looks out to the crowd, anticipating something big to follow and Mephisto is looking to oblige as he backs up the entire length of the apron... AND CHARGES TOWARDS HIM AND HITS A CANNONBALL SENTO TO ENON AGAINST THE POST! THE BULIN WALL SQUASHES ENON AGAINST THE POST! THE CROWD BREAKS INTO HOLY SHIT CHANTS AS MEPHISTO ROLLS THE LIFELESS ENON BACK INTO THE RING! COVER!

Larry Blackwell: ONE! TWO! THREEE-!!!

Mark Stephens: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! ENON KICKED OUT!?

Both men, somehow, find the strength to rise to their feet. Coming face to face as they're panting, showing their wounds of war as the slowly deliver forearms to each other, sweat flying off their faces and hair with each impact. Mephisto takes advantage with a step-up Enzugiri, rocking Enon for the moment but a moment was all Mephisto needed to hook his arms around his waist and deliver a dangerous looking Saito suplex! The crowd are shocked as Enon breaths violently from his nose with a snarl on his face, getting up to his feet, seemingly unphased by the suplex! Mephisto is unaware as Enon removes his elbow pad and crooks his arm as he waits for Mephisto to turn around! A hard Push the Button -- Sickle Clothesline -- hits Mephisto hard on the chest but the behemoth doesn't topple over! Enon forces him to turn around and lifts him high into the air on his shoulders! Electric Chair Drop! Ground Zero hits! WHAAAAAAT! MEPHISTO IS UP! HE IS SLAPPING HIMSELF IN THE FACE AS HE GETS TO HIS FEET AND LETS OUT A ROAR THAT ALERTS ENON THAT HE IS NOT DOWN! HE IS QUICK TO REACT WITH A BIG BOOT THAT CATCHES MEPHISTO ON THE JAW! BUT NOTHING! MEPHISTO FEELS NO PAIN! ENON DELIVERS ANOTHER! BUT MEPHISTO CATCHES IT OVER HIS SHOULDER AND RAISES HIM UP! FOLDING POWERBOMB! COVER! FANS COUNTING ALONG!

Larry Blackwell: ONE!--

Mark Stephens: NOT EVEN GOING TO LET ENON KICK OUT! SWITCHES TO A MODIFIED BOSTON CRAB! CENTER OF THE RING!

The crowd are losing it as they start chanting for Enon to Tap, but he is refusing to show weakness in surrender to Mephisto! Mephisto is using all his remaining strength to try and force Enon to tap out but there is no give! Enon isn't going to willingly surrender and is refusing to drag himself to the ropes! This could be it!

A loud chorus of boos rains down as before there is a conclusion to this encounter, Devin Brando and D.C. Willand charge the ring and attack Mephisto and lay boots into Enon, forcing Larry Blackwell to call for the bell!

[ DING! DING! DING! ]

Mark Stephens: OH COME ON! THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT MATCH AND NOW WE'LL NEVER KNOW WHO THE REAL WINNER OF THIS MATCH WOULD HAVE BEEN! WHY ARE THESE TWO OUT HERE!?

Chet Kensington: Same reason as earlier, Mark. The main event is where everyone in VANGUARD Pro wants to be and these two men have been extremely vocal about their ideal status at the top. Meutral goals can lead to some deadly alliances, and I think as was displayed earlier tonight, these two can make for one dangerous duo.

The boo's don't die down in the slightest as Brando floors Mephisto with a Point Blank Execution Spear while Wiland has the 25:17 Crossface applied to Enon! The camera can pick up the words Wiland is yelling at Enon while pulling back on the hold.

D.C. Wiland: I am the main event! I am number 1! I am the bestest in the world, you understand that?! THE! BESTEST!

Letting go of the hold, he makes his way over to Brando and forcefully raises Brando's hand, signalling their unity as a deadly alliance in VANGUARD... OR SO WE THOUGHT! BRANDO KICKS WILAND FIRMLY IN THE STOMACH AND DELIVERS A PACKAGE PILEDRIVER TO WILAND! BLOODY DIAMOND SPIKES HIM ON HIS HEAD! The crowd are just as confused as Wiland must be as Brando grabs Wiland by the jaw and says to him, cameras only just able to pick it up.

Devin Brando: You're a spoiled little brat... I! am the main event!

Chet Kensington: Well, its clear this deadly alliance was only a temporary thing and Brando has no intentions of sharing the main event with Wila... Wait, what is going on!

Aaron Casbah and Lio Starrick, Chris Matthews, AXL and Donny Dragon, all make their way independently into the ring and start a brawl with one another, Brando, Mephisto, Wiland and Enon caught up in it as there are nine men in the ring starting to strike each other with punches, kicks, knees, elbows and chokes! Too much going on for the camera's to focus on it, especially with the crowd reacting to something at the entrance way! The women of VANGUARD are also spilling into the arena in a brawl! Raena Ripley, Sakuya Goto, Azurine Vebbins, Stacy DeVille, Pandora Barrett, Aubrey Cassidy-Lopez, Aphrodite Marie and Chloé Leuthard have continued their conflict from earlier and it has made its way onto the stage! Cameras are having a hard time keeping up with it all!

Mark Stephens: All hell has broken loose out here! We need security out here as soon as possible!

Chet Kensington: If things weren't volatile before, they are now! VANGUARD HAS TURNED INTO A FULL-BLOWN RIOT OUT HERE!

Arena security is rushed to try and restrain the wrestlers, but they are too outnumbered and outsized! With Enon, Mephisto, Brando and Wiland back into the brawl in the ring, there isn't enough security to pull the fight apart! Vernon Tressler rushes onto stage and gestures for more security to try and separate the men and women but there still isn't enough to completely bring the fight to a halt. Matters are made no better as cameras pick up a brawl in the crowd area, finding Gerard Winters levelling Erik Holland with a steel chair! There is not enough security to intervene as they begin to brawl amongst the crowd who are trying to stay out of the way, all the while going wild at the scene of a riot breaking out.

Chet Kensington: It is hell on earth in here, Mark!

Mark Stephens: I have been covering this sport for a long time, Chet! I have never seen a full locker room break out before! The fights from earlier tonight have spilt out to the ring and entrance way! Nothing has been settled, things have just hit their boiling point out here! Security is powerless to stop it all!

Chet Kensington: Men in the ring, women on the stage! What are we going to do about th -- Miss? Miss, you can't be up here?! MISS! MISS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

The camera cuts to a hooded figure pushing her way past Chet and Mark at the commentary desk, getting up onto their table and stepping over the railing. Fans turning their attention to the figure as she stands well over 45 feet in the air above the brawling women and the security guards trying to restrain them! The figure raises her arms, letting go of the rail... AND LEAPS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR BALCONY ONTO THE PILE OF WOMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS WITH A CANNONBALL SENTON! THE CROWD IN ATTENDANCE ARE SCREAMING HOLY SHIT CHANTS AND GOING MENTAL, SOME SILENT IN SHOCK AND CONCERN TO THE STUNT!

Chet Kensington: WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUCK! WHO IS THAT! WHO IS SHE!

The figure stumbles to her feet in the pile of knocked over women, the hood of her jacket flown back revealing her face...

Chet Kensington: THAT'S IZZY VAN DOREN! WH--WHAT A WAY TO MAKE AN IMPACT!

Izzy stands tall, raising devil horns with her tongue out for the crowd while the men have taken no notice, recovering security guards rushing from the wiped out female roster to try and bring the brawl to an end but guards are starting to get knocked out by the wrestlers!

Mark Stephens: Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to have to leave you now! Thank you for watching the inaugural broadcast of VANGUARD Pro! A RiOT HAD BROKEN OUT; WHAT CAN THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF VANGUARD PRO!

[ The scene begins to fade to black, one last shot of the carnage that is going down in the arena from a balcony view before the VANGUARD Pro logo comes on screen, calling an end to the show. ]